Archie 18-02-2005 – 13-02-2016

Archie 18th February 2005 – 13th February 2016

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Our hearts are broken once again with the loss of our lovely boy, Archie, yesterday, just a few days short of his eleventh birthday.

Archie was such a sweet, beautiful, brave boy, at his happiest either carrying several tennis balls in his mouth or searching for the next available treat! His talents for managing to hide four large tennis balls in his cheeks were renowned as was his talent to win ‘wettest beard’ competitions at Spinoni gatherings!

Archie was such a character, snuffling up to you with his fabulous moustache and ‘pointing’ towards the treat cupboard or to the piece of furniture where his tennis ball had been hidden with his wonderful bum wagging from side to side with delight!

Elgin’s Mezzaluna at Estover

Despite recovering superbly from back surgery when he was nine, Archie had lately had problems with another disc that couldn’t be operated on and so was on high doses of painkillers to keep him comfortable. We were taking him for weekly acupuncture which was making a huge difference and he was still eating, pottering and enjoying being with us. Archie had been getting weaker and finding it harder to get up from sitting but, once given a gentle bum lift, was off, especially if food was on the agenda!

Yesterday morning, we woke to him wailing by the side of Mum’s bed and when I rushed into the room to see if he was ok, he clearly couldn’t get his back legs to work to enable him to get up. He was clearly in a lot of pain and we knew something was terribly wrong.

We gave him his tablets and called the Vet, Barbara Jones, who has been giving him acupuncture. She immediately set off (she’s about an hour away) and we sat with Archie, keeping him comfortable.

The tablets clearly had an impact on him because, after about ¾ hour, he somehow was determined to get up and despite trying to stop him, he was adamant! I helped him up and he walked out the French windows (I thought for the loo) but only to go into the kitchen to see why he hadn’t had breakfast yet!!! Can you believe!! He then moved (with help) into the front room and collapsed in exactly the same spot as Kofi. Sheer willpower and the thought of missing out on his breakfast made him make one more walk but Archie clearly was in trouble.

Barbara was lovely, she came out with another lady Vet and they were so kind with Archie. They lightly sedated him and he fell asleep on his favourite giraffe toy (whose feet he used to love squeaking) and started to snore. She inserted a catheter and Archie even woke up to check what the paper rattling was in case he was missing some grub! Archie then drifted peacefully to sleep and literally fell asleep on his giraffe. He looked very peaceful and out of pain.

We will have him home soon to be with his Dad, Kofi.

We are devastated. Although we knew we were on borrowed time, Archie was such a strong character that it was a huge shock to wake up to have the decision made for us.

Archie was an absolute sweetheart, he would wait for his bum lift and then we’d be off, meandering around the land, him mooching and stopping for little breaks to eat any rabbit poo along the way.

Archie has left a huge hole in our lives and his son Norman looks lost. Norman and Archie kissed yesterday morning before the Vet came. Norman also came and checked Archie over afterwards so was very aware that he had gone.

We are all still in shock and the house seems very quiet and empty without our dear Boy xx

We are still missing our dear Kofi and now we have also lost his son. Archie looked so like Kofi when he was lying in peace.

We are very grateful to have had almost 11 years with Archie and know he will be in peace and reunited with his Father.